Government officials are still working hard to cut community violence in the City of Watsonville, but they have recently been given a helping hand. The governor’s office is providing the city with $382,639 over two years to help them tackle the problem of gang violence head on. The city has partnered with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, and Santa Cruz County Office of Education. Together, they hope to increase prevention among youths, as well as felony and weapon related arrests. They also aim reduce gang motivated arrests by 15 percent and middle school alcohol consumption by 35 percent.
